A Nugget from New Life Network
(excerpts from Future Now)
Scripture for the Day (July 28, 2017)
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. (Luke 1:26-29)
We can learn a lot from the angel’s discussion with Mary (the mother of Jesus) when trying to find and fulfill God’s plan for our own life. The first thing we can learn is to recognize the voice of a messenger from God and not be freaked out by what He is saying. When God breaks into our lives most people are perplexed, which is normal. The Bible says, “Mary was troubled” when God broke into her life. The Amplified Bible says, “She was greatly troubled, disturbed and confused at his saying.”
Under the New Covenant we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. In John 16:7 Jesus said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” We also have the Word of God to bring direction and guidance. Those are two tools that Mary did not have.
Hebrews 4:16 says, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Second, we need to consider what He is saying to us. The word “saying” in Luke 1:29 is derived from the Greek word logos which means “that which has been decreed”. Verse 29 also said that Mary considered his greeting. In other words, we need to consider that which has been decreed by God.
Third, ask questions. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” In Luke 1:34 it says, “Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?‘” This question was not a lack of faith but a common sense question that she needed an answer to. She needed more information. When you’ve done all you know how to do, sometimes you need to know some more.
Fourth, know that the Holy Spirit is the answer. It always takes the Holy Spirit to bring to pass every word that God speaks. Genesis 1:2-3 says, “and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light’, and there was light.”
Luke 1:35-37 says: And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” No word from God is impossible or without power when the Holy Spirit is involved.
Lastly, receive God’s Word by faith. Luke 1:38 says: Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Mary declared by confession of her faith the word that was spoken to her.
In summary, we need to learn to recognize the voice from God and not get freaked out; we need to consider what God has said; we need to ask questions; we need to understand the importance of the Holy Spirit; and we also need to declare that God’s plan will be done in our own lives!
